After a decade's absence from the African Champions League, AshantiGold, made a return to the competition on Sunday with a hard fought 1-0 away win against Renacimiento of Equatorial Guinea.

The Miners, silver medalist of the African Champions League in 1997 incidentally their last appearance in the competition translated their impressive form on the domestic scene to Malabo where a second half strike by Jonathan Quartey ensured victory.

Renacimiento, playing at home struggled to dictate the pace of the game as the fasting running AshantiGold players managed to defy the home support to hold their opponents. The first session of the game ended goalless.

And back from recess, AshantiGold's Lamine Nasir could have shot the Miners into the lead from a spot kick but his kick was pushed out of play by the goalkeeper for Renacimiento.

However, ten minutes into the half, Jonathan Quartey got the match winner for the Miners when he struck home from a Nasir shot at goal.

AshantiGold held onto the 55th minute lead into injury time when they nearly gave up their lone goal lead after an indirect free-kick was awarded against them in the penalty box.

But Renacimiento failed to get the equaliser from the infringement as the Miners picked their first win in the continental club competition after a decade's absence.

However, two-times African champions Asante Kotoko have had their opening match in this year's African Champions League postponed until next weekend.

Kotoko's opponents Gambia Port Authority sought a postponement because two of their players are competing with Gambia's under-20 side at the African youth championships in the Congo.

Gambia on Thursday qualified to play in the World Under-20 Cup in Canada later this year.

Kotoko will now host Port Authority in Obuasi on February 3 with the return in the Gambian capital Banjul on February 11.